Tarik Phillip (191-G, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) is a 30 year old 191cm guard from Brooklyn, New York playing his 7thz professional season and second with the London Lions (BBL). He has played in countries like Hungary, Israel, Turkey, Italy and Spain. He began his basketball career at Brooklyn College Academy and then played 1 year at Independence Community College (JUCO). He played 3 seasons and 106 NCAA games with West Virginia University (JUCO). He spoke to germanhoops.com after a Eurocup game against the Hamburg Towers.

Thanks Tarik for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Thank you for taking the time to interview with me and I am currently in London United Kingdom . Basketball is going great . We started off the season great and I am blessed to be playing a game I love.

Your 30 years old and won your first chip with the London Lions last season. Could the London Lions be a club where you could imagine maybe finishing your career with?

It was surreal that I was able win a championship last year with a great group of guys and London is a great city, one of the best in the world and I wouldn’t mind finishing my career here at all . The organization is great the fans are great and my team is family .

You played with 7 pro clubs before coming to London last season and won your first title. What was so special about that team?

The difference between the clubs I played for in the past and last season title win was the family oriented vibe that we made with one another

This season the London Lions are stacked again and the heavy favorite in the BBL. Is this club stronger than last season?

This club is different than last season I don’t want to see better because both teams were constructed a little different

Two seasons ago you split time with Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy-Serie A) averaging 6.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 40.9%, 3FGP: 34.3%, FT: 75.0%, in Jan.’22 moved to Hereda San Pablo Burgos (Spain-Liga ACB averaging 7.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 81.5%. What is always the most difficult thing for you personally when you play for 2 clubs in one season? You had already done it a few times so far?

The most difficult thing is learning new people and learning new cultures. The style of play can change a bit but at the end of the day it’s still basketball.

In Venice you played with veteran point guard Julyan Stone who had played in the NBA. What was it like playing together with a real old school style playmaker who always has his teammates in his focus first?

Julyan Stone was a great player for me to learn from. I learned a lot of how to run a point guard position and get players involved and being effective without scoring the ball all the time.

You then played in Europes best country league ACB in Spain with Burgos. You held your own against top Euroleague team FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Was there a particular instance that you haven’t forgotten from one of those games?

I’ve played so many games since then but those prestigious teams you always come ready to play and so exactly what you’re made of.

In the 2020-2021 season you split time with Hapoel Jerusalem (Israel-Winner League) and in Nov.’20 moved toTofas Bursa (Turkey-BSL) averaging 13.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 5.0apg, Steals-1 (2.3spg), FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 78.5%; and in the Basketball Champions League averaged 14.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 4.0apg, Steals-1 (2.2spg), FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 80.6%. Despite being in Israel for only a short time, you still finished the season strong in Turkey despite Covid. What personally was the toughest challenge for you in this season with Covid?

Splitting time between Tofas and Jerusalem was great for my career despite Covid. The challenges I faced during the Covid season was very difficult isolating and being alone from family friends and loved ones.

In Israel you were teammates for a short time with Chris Kramer who once made a bucket in the NCAA while sitting on the floor. I remember him as being an unbelievable nasty defender in the BBL in Germany. How will you remember him best?
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Chris Kramer is a household name a great player someone that I’ve learned from a lot in my career as well and a great team player.

Was your season in Bursa one of your best offensive seasons overseas? You had some really skilled offensive players on the team?

I would have to say playing in Bursa with Tofas was one of my best oversee seasons I felt at home there and very comfortable on and off the court.

In the 2018-2019 season you played with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) averaging 14.1ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 78.3% You really got going in December and were consistent the rest of the way and had a 48 point explosion. Do you feel like you were ever near to an NBA call up?

I ended up getting a call up at the end of the year with the Washington Wizards which was converted into a nonguaranteed deal

What memories do you have of that incredible 48 point game against Long Island. I guess the only unfitting thing to the night was you lost the game. That game showed you could play in the NBA. You were the best player on the court that showcased many former NBA players on the court? You hit 7/8 three’s.

Memories of that game was just my family yelling and screaming my name. It was one of the first time seeing me play in the G league.

The next season you were signed by the Washington Wizards but opted to go to Europe. Did the NBA let you down?

No the NBA did not let me down I did not get a chance to play due to an injury.

What do you remember being the best example you saw where the NBA will always be a business first before anything else?

You see it all the time with players , when they get traded from teams that they love and cities that they’ve raise families in.

You played in 2019-2020 for Tofas Bursa (Turkey-BSL) averaging 11.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 80.4% in the Eurocup. What was it like sharing the court with Matt Lojeski? He was a guy that had just come off 6 Euroleague seasons in Greece. I can imagine his experience was vital for a guy like you coming overseas for the second time after your G-League stint

Matt Lojeski is a heck of a player definitely taught me a lot especially since you’ve he’s played at the highest level for so many years. Saw the game from a different perspective and also learned a lot from him , and great off the court as well!

You split your rookie season with Szolnoki Olajbanyasz (Hungary-A Division avergaing 5.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 48.9%, 3FGP: 25.9%, FT: 47.6%, in Feb.’18 moved to Cocinas.com CB Clavijo Logrono (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 10.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 67.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew you were far away from home?

My wake up call overseas I believe was was living alone and the language barrier becoming a factor. Also playing against high-level guys that knew the game and not only had skills opposed to college.

In Hungry you stayed a few months. You were teammates with Americans Kendrick Perry and Quincy Ford. What memories do you have of this stay? Could you get any positives form it?

Perry was very vital in my rookie year he taught me how to become a professional. Spoke about a lot of things he went through in the past overseas his first couple of years, good and the bad and overall a great mentor and is having a great career overseas. Quincy Ford was like a brother to me and I was also learning from Kendrick and learning overseas life as well.

You closed out your rookie season in Spain and finished strongly. The Leb Gold at times seems to be an underrated league. It seemed to fit your playing style perfectly?

There is great talent in the Leb gold league and basketball played the correct way which is often devalued in America . It was more so reading and understanding the game more than talent.

You began your college career at Independence Community College (JUCO) averaging 18.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 4.7apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 69.4%. Every guy I have interviewed that played JUCO have said it was a tough time, but a very important one in their development as a player and man. How was it for you?

Playing at independence community college was definitely a growing experience a much-needed lifestyle change as well. JUCO gave me extra time to work on my game and my body and made me ready for the next level.

You then played at West Virginia from 2014-2017 playing a total of 106 NCAA games. You reached 3 NCAA tournaments and 2 Sweet 16’2. You were blown out by Kentucky and lost a 3 point game to Gonzaga. What was your personal sweetest moment in that tournament?

I believe my sweetest moment in the NCAA tournament had to been hitting go ahead bucket versus Buffalo.

What memories do you have of that massive Kentucky team. A starting 5 of future NBA players including Karl Anthony Towns and Devin Booker from the bench. Was that the greatest Kentucky team ever?

That had to be one of the best Kentucky teams ever. The team was stacked and they had over 10 NBA players . A very talented team and surprising that they want it all.

You had many great personal games like against Texas Tech and Iowa State, but what was your most memorable game?

My most memorable game has to be at Texas Tech where I scored eight points to help bring my team back to defend an upset .

How did Bob Huggins groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Bob Huggins helped groom and prepare me for my professional career because he demanded accountability ,hard work, and challenged you to be the best you.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jevon Carter?

Never played but I will win lol

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Buddy Hield

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jevon carter
Teyvon Meyers
Devin Williams
Semaj christon
Sam Dekker

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron
Jordan
Kobe
Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron . I feel as though he can dominate the game in every way rebounding passing scoring guarding the best player, and Iq off the charts

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I have seen coming to America and I enjoyed the second sequel as well it was entertaining and it was very funny.
Thanks Tarik for the chat.